Groover has requested I publish the reasoning behind his vote (I could not reach him Friday in time for publication). He said he is not against drinking on the beach, but was against repealing the entire code section that prohibits it. That is because the section also prohibits drinking on public streets, parking lots and sidewalks. City officials say that drinkers have to use a plastic cup, but that is not made clear in the current ordinance (City Manager Diane Schleicher said they will have to go back and specify this.)

Here is the entire code section that was repealed:

Sec. 6-8. - Consumption of alcoholic beverages in public areas.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to drink or attempt to drink any vinous liquor or any intoxicant from a can, bottle or glass or to possess in open cans, bottles, or glasses any spirituous, malt or vinous liquor or any intoxicant on the public streets, parking lots, sidewalks, walkways or public beaches in the city.

(b)Any person violating any provisions, rules or regulations of this article upon conviction shall be subject to punishment as provided in section 1-8 and as provided by law.

(Code 1983, § 9-2-9)

So for the record, Groover said he has no problem with people drinking on the beach or on the sidewalks, as long as it is in a plastic cup. His concern is that by repealing the entire ordinance, residents can now wonder the streets with cans of beer or bottles of booze.